Rutgers University

Corporate Secretary to the Board of Governors & Trustees

Rutgers University$165K — $253K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Juris Doctor (JD) required.
  • Minimum of seven (7) years of experience in governance, legal administration, compliance, or higher education administration.
  • Deep understanding of governance principles and institutional compliance frameworks.
  • Strong knowledge of laws and regulations governing public higher education institutions.
  • Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to procedural integrity.
  • Strong communication skills for advising senior leaders on complex governance matters.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as the principal governance officer to the Boards of Governors and Trustees.
  • Establish, maintain, and enforce governance processes for board meetings and official actions.
  • Ensure compliance with federal and state laws, university regulations, and fiduciary obligations.
  • Provide authoritative guidance on governance structure and board procedures.
  • Oversee preparation and preservation of official board records, including minutes and resolutions.
  • Certify official board actions and maintain custody of governance records.
  • Advise board leadership on governance risks and procedural requirements.

Benefits

  • Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
  • Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
  • Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans
  • Employee and dependent educational benefits
  • Life insurance coverage
  • Employee discount programs
Full Job Description
Position Details

Position Information

Recruitment/Posting Title
Corporate Secretary to the Board of Governors & Trustees

Job Category
Staff & Executive - Legal

Department
Secretary of the University

Posting Summary

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking a Corporate Secretary to the Board of Governors & Trustees for the President's Office.

The Corporate Secretary to the Boards of Governors and Trustees serves as the University's principal governance officer, responsible for ensuring the lawful, ethical, and procedurally sound operation of the governing boards. This role safeguards institutional continuity by overseeing board governance processes, official records, fiduciary compliance, and adherence to applicable laws, bylaws, and policies.

Reporting directly to the Boards of Governors and Trustees and Chief of Staff to the President, and working in close coordination with the Associate Secretary, the Corporate Secretary provides executive-level leadership over all aspects of board governance, compliance, and institutional accountability.

This role ensures that all board activities are conducted within established governance frameworks and that board actions are properly documented, executed, and preserved in accordance with legal and fiduciary requirements. The Corporate Secretary serves as the authoritative custodian of governance processes and institutional records.

Among the key duties of the position are the following:
  • Serves as the principal governance officer to the Boards of Governors and Trustees, ensuring the integrity, legality, and consistency of all board operations.
  • Establishes, maintains, and enforces governance processes governing board meetings, committees, resolutions, and official actions.
  • Ensures compliance with applicable federal and state laws, University bylaws, regulations, and fiduciary obligations.
  • Provides authoritative guidance on governance structure, fiduciary duties, conflicts of interest, ethics policies, and board procedures.
  • Oversees the preparation, accuracy, and preservation of all official board records, including agendas, minutes, resolutions, and governance documentation.
  • Certifies official board actions and maintains custody of institutional governance records as the official corporate repository.
  • Provides governance review and approval for board materials to ensure procedural compliance and alignment with bylaws and policy requirements.
  • Coordinates closely with the Associate Secretary to ensure that strategic priorities and operational initiatives are executed within proper governance frameworks.
  • Advises board leadership and senior administration on governance risks, regulatory considerations, and procedural requirements.
  • Ensures that board decisions are properly documented, executed, and implemented in accordance with approved governance protocols.
  • Maintains institutional continuity and governance stability during leadership transitions or periods of institutional complexity.
  • Supports board elections, appointments, onboarding, and governance education programs.
  • Engages with internal and external stakeholders on matters of governance, compliance, and institutional accountability.


FLSA
Exempt

Grade
11

Salary Details

Minimum Salary
165269.000

Mid Range Salary
209187.000

Maximum Salary
253104.000

Offer Information

The final salary offer may be determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate's qualifications, experience, and expertise, and availability of department or grant funds to support the position. We also take into consideration market benchmarks, if and when appropriate, and internal equity to ensure fair compensation relative to the university's broader compensation structure. We are committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation packages to attract and retain top talent.

Benefits

Rutgers provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. The specific benefits vary based on the position and may include:
  • Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
  • Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
  • Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options
  • Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable)
  • Life insurance coverage
  • Employee discount programs


Position Status
Full Time

Working Hours

Standard Hours
37.50

Daily Work Shift
Day

Work Arrangement

Consistent with the current application of Rutgers Policy 60.3.22 or the applicable provisions of relevant collective negotiations agreements, this position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Flexible work arrangements are not permanent, subject to change or discontinuation, and contingent on the employee receiving approval in the FlexWork@RU Application System.

Union Description
Admin Assembly (MPSC)

Payroll Designation
PeopleSoft

Seniority Unit

Terms of Appointment
Staff - 12 month

Position Pension Eligibility
ABP

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience
  • Juris Doctor (JD) required.
  • Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in governance, legal administration, compliance, or higher education administration.


Certifications/Licenses

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
  • Deep understanding of governance principles, fiduciary responsibility, and institutional compliance frameworks.
  • Strong knowledge of laws, regulations, and policies governing public higher education institutions.
  • Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to procedural integrity and accuracy.
  • Ability to exercise independent judgment in interpreting governance rules and institutional policies.
  • Strong communication skills, with the ability to advise senior leaders on complex governance matters.
  • Ability to manage confidential and sensitive institutional information with discretion.
  • Experience operating within complex organizational and governance structures.
  • Experience serving as a corporate secretary, general counsel advisor, or senior governance officer in a higher education or public institution.


Preferred Qualifications

Equipment Utilized

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Special Conditions

Posting Details

Posting Number
26ST1582

Posting Open Date
07/31/2026

Special Instructions to Applicants

Regional Campus
Rutgers University-New Brunswick

Home Location Campus
College Ave (RU-New Brunswick)

City
New Brunswick

State
NJ

Location Details

Pre-employment Screenings

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings.

Immunization Requirements
Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals, if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate's offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.

About Rutgers University

Rutgers University is a public research university that offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs. The university has three main campuses in New Brunswick, Newark, and Camden, New Jersey, as well as several satellite locations. Rutgers University was founded in 1766 and is the eighth-oldest college in the United States. The university is known for its strong programs in the sciences, humanities, and social sciences, as well as its commitment to public service and community engagement. Rutgers University is a member of the Big Ten Conference and has a strong athletic program.
Learn more about Rutgers University
Size
13,000 employees
Industry

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